Overview

Once a year, millions of viewers sit on their couch and watch hundreds of actors, writers, producers and directors walk down a red carpet and receive shiny golden statuettes. This cultural phenomenon is known as the Academy Awards, and this Sunday marks the 83rd annual presentation of the Oscars. The oldest and most highly regarded award ceremony for excellence in the film industry, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences originated the Academy Awards in 1929. What began as a private brunch honoring fifteen members of the industry has since evolved into a worldwide spectacle, televised live and accompanied by various pre and post shows, fashion critique, and nominee interviews. Winning an academy award is generally regarded as the highest possible achievement in the motion picture community, while the nomination serves as an elite honor in itself. Over the years, the ceremony has been more and more ingrained in mainstream American culture and has become an annual evaluation of the entertainment industry, as well a reflection of the social and political atmosphere at the time. Typically hosted by one or two established and highly respected members of the filmmaking community, this years awards will be presented by actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway, the youngest hosts to date. With the potential to stream the ceremony on laptops, phones and I-pads across the world, the Oscars have become the object of discussion in a whole new way. Facebook statuses will change, opinionated tweets will show minute by minute reactions, and hundreds of blogs will critique outfits, praise winners, and probably condemn the academy for racism.

History


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Opinion


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Future Trends?


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